Jorge Masvidal Counters Dana White, Asks Why “All The Major Names” Have Issues

If you were expecting tensions between Jorge Masvidal and the UFC to have simmered down by now, well, it looks like you were way off base. In fact, it seems like after every interview Dana White gives, tensions with “Gamebred” continue to rise.

White points to Masvidal’s new contract

Recently it was reported that talks for a fight between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal were not going well. That prompted the latter to claim UFC was offering him substantially less for that fight, versus what he made to fight Nate Diaz.

Ultimately, Masvidal challenged the UFC to release him, since they’re so far apart on terms. Masvidal has also questioned why fighters do not receive more of the UFC’s revenue, in comparison to other major sports leagues.

Masvidal’s comments have come at a time when Jon Jones has also been criticizing the UFC’s compensation model, and White responded by saying neither man has to fight.

White noted that the stars are independent contractors, and he also said this (quote via MMA Fighting).

“Being the financial wizard that he is, I’m assuming his numbers are correct,” White said . “Here’s the thing with Masvidal — we just signed a new deal with Masvidal.

Masvidal just signed a new eight-fight deal. He’s got seven fights left on his deal. My people were working with him and trying to get a deal done with him when he already has a deal.

Jon Jones has like seven fights left on his deal. He just signed a new deal less than a year ago.”

Masvidal asks why other “major names” also have contractual issues

Well, not surprisingly, Masvidal didn’t let those comments go unanswered. Here is some of what the dangerous welterweight had to say in a series of tweets.

“I’m in a contract that I had to take to get paid. Same way I got a new contract to fight (Darren) Till. Then a new contract to fight Nate.

They keep extending the amounts of fights to my contract to keep me locked up and when I say I only want a 4-fight contract it’s take it or leave it.

“The negotiation is take it or leave it. If I lose, you can cut me and not pay out the rest of the contract. If I win, I’m not in a position to renegotiate the contract? My dad left a communist regime and has prepared me my whole life.”

“Why are all the major names having issues?” Masvidal said. “Conor (McGregor), (Jon) Jones, (Henry) Cejudo. We have to take it or retire. I love fighting and this is the fight of our lives.”

“I can’t leave,” Masvidal wrote. “They own me until they cut me or I fight out my contract.”

So, as noted above, it certainly seems like things are escalating, rather than settling down. McGregor hasn’t publicly said that a financial disagreement was behind his recent retirement, but Cejudo did admit that if he was paid more, he’d likely continue to fight.

It will be interesting to see if any other stars speak out, and whether that bolsters the movement for a fighter organization.